THE FIRE AT KOHIMARAMA SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9084, 19 June 1888, Page 6

THE FIRE AT KOHIMARAMA SCHOOL.

The charge of arson against Alexander Duncan, a boy 16 years of age, of setting 6re to a cow and hay shed at Kobimarama Industrial School, was heard before Mr. Baddeley, Resident Magistrate, yesterday, in the Police Court. Mr. Earl appeared for the accused and pleaded "not guilty." Sergeant-Major Pratt conducted the prosecution on behalf of the police.

Detective Walker put in a drawing and plan of the buildings, school, shed, &c, at Kohimarama. Mr. Earl stated that he had suggested to the police that a coroner's inquiry into thefire should be made, and the accused there give evidence which he wae ready to give. In the present case his mouth was closed, but he could give very material evidence as to the origin of the fire, and throw considerable light on the matter. The police, however, had not seen their way to agree to this course, and he (Mr. Earl) asked the Resident Magistrate if he could move in the matter by some direction in the case. There was great suspicion that the police were completely on the wrong track. It was unusual unless a party was caught redhanded, as it were, for the police to prosecute for arson without a preliminary inquiry. Sergeant-Major Pratt said the police were willing to leave the matter in the hands of the Resident Magistrate as to the inquiry or the case proceeding as brought. Mr. Baddeley said he would prefer to leave it for the police to decide iu a matter like the present one. A question as to whether the accused could testify at such an inquest arose, and Mr. Earl said he was anxious that the boy should do so.

The Resident Magistrate adjourned the case, to consider whether such a course should be pursued, till Monday, the 25th instant.

Mr. Earl said he had instructed the accused to go to the school and see any of the boys there, and see what defence he could get up. The boy did so, when Mr. Hogan ordered him away. He (Mr. Earl) thought there was a great want of Christian charity in this, and he thought an expression of opinion from the Bench on the matter might obviate any difficulty of taie sorb again. The boy had all the machinery of the place arrayed against him, and difficulties like the above were also thrown in his way in arranging tor his defence. Mr. Hogan denied this, stating that the boy came to him and asked for a character. He never asked to see any boys ab all. Mr. Earl reiterated his statement, and desired that Mr. Hogan be given distinctly to understand that he could nob prevent him (Mr. Earl) from making inquiries. The Resident Magistrate instructed Mr. Hogan that Mr. Earl had every right to make such inquiry. The boy was admitted to bail in one surety of £100. ■